8 Goal Thriller Leaves Iran On The Run

Don’t say it yet, England fans but an 8 goal thriller in England’s first world cup game may have forced the European side to dream of better days ahead as its stars force opponents, Iran to concede 6 times in a match that ran for 114 minutes.

Iran with its relaxed approach initially to the game, came in with very little to prove to the world, as opposed to an opponent that had its global status in the footballing world to maintain, and thus there was only one way it could go.

England needed a victory; for its manager, Gareth Southgate, and its fans after a poor showing in the recently concluded UEFA Nations League campaign that saw the European side relegated from its European big stage.

But the Monday mid-day fixture provided ample enough chances to regain lost glory to a laid back Iran that started the game playing coy and safe, ironically playing into their counterpart’s hands.

The first 20 minutes was largely conservative for both sides as it only took a dramatic injury to Iran’s goal keeper, Alireza Beiranvand to tip the scale of balance in England’s favor as the Iranian’s exit followed a 3 goal first half route by the English sides.

Iranians with a message to the world

Teenage sensation and Borussia Dortmund star, Jude Bellingham was the man to break the goalless gridlock via a glancing header that proved quite too much for substitute, Seyed Hossein Hosseini to get any grip on from the far post.

Shortly after, in form Arsenal star man, Bukayo Saka had a message from Arsenal to send to the world, doubling England’s lead to have Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling clip past Seyed Hossein Hosseini a third before the break.

The second half had quite the interesting showing though, even though England continued its dominance on Iran through another Bukayo Saka goal to make the score line quite embarrassing for the Middle Eastern side.

Forward man, Mehdi Taremi of Iran was clinical enough to reduce the deficit 3 minutes after for what could be considered a consolation, but England had other ideas as they raced to a 6-1 lead through substitutes Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish both from the two Manchester divides of the English premier league.

Mehdi Taremi had quite the final say though to at least save the reputation of his country via a penalty at stoppage time.

Is it coming home, finally? Time will tell for England. But their attacking showcase in their world cup opener shows there’s untapped talent with the England squad to reach a final.